Martin County expects up to $750,000 from hosting state swimming finals in November

ALEX BOERNER/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
Christine Ortiz (right), of Queens, N.Y., rubs sunscreen on her daughter, Carissa Ortiz, (center) as she and her sister, Brianna Ortiz, (left) prepare to head to the playground at Sailfish Splash Waterpark Friday morning.

Treasure Coast Newspapers

ALEX BOERNER/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
Tom Colucci, Executive Director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, speaks to attendees at a news conference announcing that the Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatics Athletics Center in Stuart will host the “Pinch-A-Penny” Florida High School Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Finals for years 2013-2016.

Treasure Coast Newspapers

ALEX BOERNER/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
Jonathan Miller, a lifeguard at the Sailfish Splash Waterpark, patrols the pool area on opening day Friday in Stuart. The park includes some new additions this year such as a cabana section and a souvenir shop. Spring break for Martin County students started Friday.

Treasure Coast Newspapers

STUART — Officials say as much as $750,000 could flow into the Treasure Coast businesses when Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatic Athletics Center plays host to the Florida High School Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Finals during two November weekends.

The venue's proposal was accepted earlier this month and officially unveiled on Friday at a water park press event.

Martin County Parks and Recreation Department, the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, along with host high schools Jensen Beach and The Pine School, are the key players in bringing the meet here.

The contract runs for three years beginning in November, with an option for two more.

The Treasure Coast proposal, which was chosen over bids from Ransom Aquatics Center in Coconut Grove, Sarasota YMCA and Cecil Recreation Aquatics Center in Jacksonville, will return 100 percent of gate receipts to the FHSAA.

"This was a personal goal of mine, when I was hired, was to land the state meet," said Kevin Abbate, director of the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department. "Think about what this facility has accomplished, far exceeding its revenue goals and, still within, the first year, of landing the state high school swimming and diving finals."

The 2013 championships will be Nov. 8, 9, 15 and 16. Swimming and diving will expand to four classifications from three in the fall which, in turn, will transform the finals into a four-day event over two weekends. Most recently, the event ran for three successive days.

Martin County Commissioner Sarah Heard called hosting the meet an "incredible honor."

Heard said that "conservative numbers" predict that 1,600 swimmers, coaches and support staff along with 5,600 paid spectators are expected during the championships with a projected $750,000 economic impact. The Martin County Hotel/Motel Association also has worked to support the meet.

"This venue in its very, very short history has already begun to fulfill its promise as a generator of extraordinary positive economic impact," Heard said.

Abbate said the expected cost to conduct the meet is $33,000, but an offset business plan is in place to recover that with parking fees and concession sales. The partner groups also are seeking sponsorships to help cover costs, and a souvenir program is in the works.

If all that falls short, the $390,000 Abbate was able to put into the facility's budget reserve after its successful first season of operation will cover the remainder.

"The economic impact that Commissioner Heard talked about is important," Abbate said. "People will discover that this place is tranquil, it has that old Florida charm. It fits right into that tourist model."

FHSAA director of athletics Cristina Broska said the facility sealed the deal.

"The major reason we decided to go with this venue was because of how welcomed we felt when we came (during the proposal process)," Broska said. "We've never seen anything like it.

"Whatever we needed, the facility could accommodate."

State swimming contests have been at the Orlando International YMCA Aquatic Center for the past six years, which is an indoor facility. The FHSAA did have some reservations in moving outdoors.

"A little, based on what the weather could do," Broska said. "But after talking to (Abbate) and the staff and them reassuring me that they would do whatever they could to make sure our athletes were comfortable, it was a no-brainer.

"I think it might be one of the best state meets we've ever had."

How the facility is outfitted will play a big part. Todd Foust, the special facilities administrator for the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department said highlights include the Colorado timing system with a video streaming scoreboard, the Myrtha pool design, the minimum depth of seven feet and the no-resistance liner.

"I think the swimmers will enjoy the pool," Foust said.

The event will mark the sixth FHSAA state championship event for the commission since it brought state golf to the area for seven years in 2000.

Treasure Coast Sports Commission executive director Tom Colucci said this is the first time two local high schools have served as championship hosts. Indian River State College athletic director Scott Kimmelman, the former coach of that school's ultrasuccessful swim program, also will be involved.

"It says a lot for Martin County," Colucci said. "We have private schools represented, and public schools represented. I think that's a great way to start off in this fantastic facility which I think is one of the best in the state — and even the country."